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Lyrics & meaning

Velan Varuvarodi

From Jathagam · 1953

Lyricist
T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Jathagam1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Velan varuvaroodiLord Velan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Valli mel mogangkonduHaving developed immense love for Valli,
Valli mel mogang konduHaving developed immense love for Valli,
Vedanaana vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan, disguised as a hunter, is coming, oh friend!
Female
Maanodi vandhadhinaal…aa.aa..aa..aaaSaying, 'Because the deer ran and came... Ah... Ah...'
Maanodi vandhadhinaal'Because the deer ran and came,'
Naanodi vandhen endru'I ran and came,' saying so,
Maanodi vandhadhinaal'Because the deer ran and came,'
Naanodi vandhen endru'I ran and came,' saying so,
Maanodi vandhadhinaal'Because the deer ran and came,'
Naanodi vandhen endru'I ran and came,' saying so,
Thaenaaga pesi maiyal aanenSpeaking as sweet as honey, saying 'I fell in love',
Endra vadivelan varuvaaroodiSaying thus, Vadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Female
Mangai manadhariya ..haa..aaa.aa..aaTo win the heart of the maiden... Ha... Ah...
Mangai manadhariya engum thudarnthalaindhuTo understand the maiden's mind, following and wandering everywhere,
Mangai manadhariya engum thudarnthalaindhuTo understand the maiden's mind, following and wandering everywhere,
VenghaimaramaagiBecoming a Venghai tree,
Venghaimaramaagi oonghi valarndhaBecoming a Venghai tree and standing tall,
Vadivelan varuvaroodiVadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Female
Pandaaraamaai sivanai kondaadiyaeDisguised as a Pandaram monk, praising Lord Shiva,
Pandaaraamaai sivanai kondaadiyaeDisguised as a Pandaram monk, praising Lord Shiva,
Pandaaraamaai sivanai kondaadiyaeDisguised as a Pandaram monk, praising Lord Shiva,
Amudhu undoodi'Eat this nectar, oh friend!'
Amudhu undoodi endru oodhi mandraadi nindraPleading and begging her to consume nectar, standing there,
Vadivelan varuvaroodiVadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Female
Thaenum thinai maavum unduEating honey and foxtail millet flour,
Thaenum thinai maavum unduEating honey and foxtail millet flour,
Thaangaadha vikkal konduGetting unbearable hiccups,
Thaenum thinai maavum unduEating honey and foxtail millet flour,
Thaangaadha vikkal konduGetting unbearable hiccups,
Thaenum thinai maavum unduEating honey and foxtail millet flour,
Thaangaadha vikkal konduGetting unbearable hiccups,
Thaenum thinai maavum unduEating honey and foxtail millet flour,
Thaangaadha vikkal konduGetting unbearable hiccups,
Koonal nimirndhu konduTransforming from a hunchback to a youth,
Koonal nimirndhu kondu kulavi magizhndhaStraightening his hunchback and rejoicing in affection,
Koonal nimirndhu kondu kulavi magizhndhaStraightening his hunchback and rejoicing in affection,
Vadivelan varuvaroodiVadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiVadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiVadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Female
Yaanai marutti ….eeeeeScaring her with an elephant... Eeee...
Yaanai marutti thinai kaanil virattaScaring her with an elephant in the millet field,
Yaanai marutti thinai kaanil virattaScaring her with an elephant in the millet field,
Mada maanai magizhchiyodu maarbodanaithuJoyfully embracing the gentle deer-like maiden to his chest,
Velan varuvaroodiLord Velan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan is coming, oh friend!
Valli mel mogang konduHaving developed immense love for Valli,
Vedanaana vadivelan varuvaroodiLord Vadivelan, disguised as a hunter, is coming, oh friend!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classical composition from the movie Jathagam (1953) depicts the famous divine courtship (Valli Thirumanam) of Lord Murugan and Valli. Through the narrative, a companion (Sakhi) describes Lord Murugan's various guises and divine play (Thiruvilaiyadal) adopted to win Valli's heart in the millet fields. Murugan appears first as a hunter pursuing a deer, then transforms into a tall Venghai tree to evade detection, later disguises himself as an old Pandaram monk who eats millet flour and gets hiccups, and finally uses Ganesha in the form of a elephant to frighten Valli into his protective embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaiai (Initial Alliteration)

Velan varuvaroodi / Vadivelan varuvaroodi / Valli mel mogangkondu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Va' across lines creates rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mada maanai magizhchiyodu maarbodanaithu

Comparing Valli to a gentle, innocent deer ('Mada maan').

Refrain / Anaphora

Vadivelan varuvaroodi

The repeating phrase 'Vadivelan varuvaroodi' serves as a rhythmic anchor in the song structure.

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Trivia

Composed by R. Govarthanam and rendered by Carnatic legend M. L. Vasanthakumari, this song highlights the traditional Tamil folk story of Valli's marriage to Lord Murugan, set to classical ragas adapted for mid-20th century cinema.

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